Footprints (Dorian)

by Wayne Shorter

Table of Contents

• Introduction / Learning Outcomes

• The Tracks (the original recording and a backing track)

• The Charts

• Play-Along Sections

• Help Sheets

• Video Lesson

Introduction

This is a tune by Wayne Shorter, one of the best saxophone players of the modal and fusion eras. It's a song based on a minor blues and is useful for practicing the Dorian Mode, as well as getting a taste of some of the melodic minor modes. Here are the following scales/concepts that will be addressed in this lesson:

• C Dorian (concert)

• F Dorian (concert)

• Soloing over difficult changes/altered chords

  • Introduction to Melodic Minor Modes

  • Simplifying your melodies over fast changes

The Tracks

Original Recording

Backing Track

The Charts

Treble Chart

Bass Chart

Bb Chart

Eb Chart

Play-Along Sections

To practice along with sections of the song (i.e. to practice over a particular chord), click the measure that you want to start on and press play. For suggestions on scales and licks to play, check out the help sheets further down the page.

https://musescore.com/user/30979026/scores/6039834/embedmusescore.com

Help Sheets

The first page covers C Dorian and F Dorian modes and licks. The second page gives some examples for navigating the altered chords and the end of the piece using various melodic minor ideas. The help sheet is meant to serve as a starting point; you are encouraged to develop your own musical ideas in addition to these ones.

For the hard changes at the end, when in doubt, chromatic your way out!

Treble Help Sheet

Bass Help Sheet

Bb Help Sheet

Eb Help Sheet

Video Lesson